Potassium-calcium ratio of the nutrient solution: implications for fruit quality in June-bearing and day-neutral strawberry cultivars

The aim of this trial was to determine the implications for fruit quality in strawberries grown on substrate at different K:Ca ratios.
Four June-bearing cultivars (‘Malling Centenary’, ‘Magnum’, ‘Opera’ and ‘Jive’) and four day neutral cultivars (selection number ‘08-06-10’, ‘Eve’s Delight’, ‘Murano’ and ‘Harmony’) were grown in plastic tunnels on raised gutters.
Plants were given nutrient solutions with either a high (7:2 mmol L^-1), standard (5:3 mmol L^-1) or low K:Ca ratio (4:3 mmol L^-1). Assigned nutrient solutions were given continuously from flowering until the end of harvest.
Fruit colour, seed positioning, fruit firmness, Brix and shelf life were routinely assessed.
A high K:Ca ratio for both ‘Murano’ and ‘Harmony’ led to more fruit with embedded achenes.
A low K:Ca ratio in the nutrient solution led to an increased browning of the fruit skin around the achenes in June-bearing cultivars ‘Opera’ and ‘Jive’ and also day neutral cultivars ‘Murano’ and ‘08-06-10’. There was no difference in ‘Eve’s Delight’. In all cultivars a higher K:Ca ratio increased fruit firmness, Brix and improved shelf life.
These results show that a high K:Ca ratio improves fruit quality and shelf life in strawberries.

VIII International Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Fruit Crops

N. Gallace, P. Lieten

Fragaria × ananassa, nutrition, plant performance, substrate

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1217.52